Wonderbound Presents ENDURING GRACE With the Colorado Symphony, 10/18-26

Denver's Wonderbound is gaining national attention this October as Artistic Director Garrett Ammon's "Serenade for Strings" premieres with San Francisco's Smuin Ballet. In addition, the work will be a part of Wonderbound's season opening production of "Enduring Grace" with musicians of the Colorado Symphony. "Enduring Grace" also features a world premiere work by Company Artist Sarah Tallman.

Ammon's playful "Serenade for Strings," set to Tchaikovsky's stately work by the same name, caused ripples in the dance community as it was the first time a choreographer had set a piece to the full score since George Balanchine. The premiere of the work in 2013 received rave reviews and led to a request for Ammon to stage the ballet on Smuin.

"From the moment I saw 'Serenade for Strings' in rehearsal, I was captivated by what Garrett created to a score that is so familiar to ballet audiences the world over. How bold to tackle this music!" said Celia Fushille, Artistic Director of Smuin Ballet. "In 'Serenade,' Garrett's profound musicality and the organic partnering of his choreography are blended with a fresh sense of whimsy. My immediate reaction was that this was the piece Smuin needed to do! We are delighted to work with him and honored that Smuin Ballet will give this beautiful work its West Coast premiere."

"'Serenade for Strings' holds a special place in my heart, being the first new work I created for the professional company after we transformed into Wonderbound," said Ammon. "For me it carries all of the possibility and wonder of those first moments in our new Denver home. When Celia asked to add 'Serenade' to Smuin Ballet's repertoire, I was honored. We have had the pleasure of knowing Celia and Smuin's beautiful dancers for several years, so I am excited to explore that relationship in this new way."

In Denver, "Serenade for Strings" will be accompanied by a brand new work by Sarah Tallman set to Edvard Grieg's Holberg Suite which features five movements based on eighteenth century dance forms. Tallman's piece is inspired by the art of 20th century surrealists.

"I'm so excited and grateful to be premiering a brand new work for our season opener with musicians of the Colorado Symphony. Surrealist art, juxtaposed with the gorgeous Grieg composition has sparked my curiosity, and I can't wait to explore the subconscious, dream like aspects of our minds and their joyous complexities."

"Enduring Grace" will be accompanied by live music by musicians of the Colorado Symphony and performed October 18 through October 26.

"Enduring Grace" will be preceded by a limited seating Teaser at the Wonderbound Studio at Junction Box on September 25, allowing audiences an intimate taste of what the full length performance will hold. As always, the public is encouraged to experience the performers, not only at the official shows throughout the season, but in their rehearsal space in the heart of Denver. Visitors are asked to call to confirm rehearsal schedules.

For exclusive photo and interview opportunities with Artistic Director Garrett Ammon, or any of the collaborating artists as well as an invitation to observe Wonderbound in rehearsal, contact Amber Blais at 303.292.4700 or ablais@wonderbound.com

Enduring Grace
with the Colorado Symphony

Performance Information

Five (5) performances

Dates/Times Oct 18, 7:30 pm & Oct 19, 2 pm

Location PACE Center

Parker Arts, Culture & Events

20000 Pikes Peak Ave.

Parker, CO 80138

Tickets 303.805.6800

Dates/Times Oct 24 & 25, 7:30 pm & Oct 26, 2 pm

Location Performing Arts Complex at Pinnacle Charter School
1001 W. 84th Ave.

Denver, CO 80260

Cost $22-$47

Tickets Online at http://wonderbound.com or by phone at 303.292.4700

Wonderbound Presents the 2014-2015 Season:

Marie
with Baroque Chamber Orchestra

Performance Information

Five (5) performances

Dates/Times Feb 14, 7:30 pm & Feb 15, 2 pm

Location PACE Center

Parker Arts, Culture & Events

20000 Pikes Peak Ave.

Parker, CO 80138

Tickets 303.805.6800

Dates/Times Feb 20 & 21, 7:30 pm & Feb 22, 2 pm

Location Performing Arts Complex at Pinnacle Charter School
1001 W. 84th Ave.

Denver, CO 80260

Cost $22-$47

Tickets Online at http://wonderbound.com or by phone at 303.292.4700

Boomtown: Tales from the River Valley
with Chimney Choir

Performance Information

Four (4) performances

Dates/Times Apr 17 & 18, 7:30 pm & Apr 19, 2 pm

Location Performing Arts Complex at Pinnacle Charter School
1001 W. 84th Ave.

Denver, CO 80260

Cost $22-$47

Tickets Online at http://wonderbound.com or by phone at 303.292.4700

Dates/Times Apr 25, 8 pm

Location Lone Tree Arts Center

10075 Commons Street

Lone Tree, CO 80124

Tickets 720.509.1000

About Wonderbound
The philosophy of Wonderbound centers around three fundamental values - community, collaboration, creation. Under the artistic direction of Garrett Ammon and Dawn Fay, a radiant energy has grown around the twelve exemplary dancers that make up Wonderbound. Each dancer is valued for the unique personal perspective they bring to the studio process; building a whole greater than its parts. Free to "unzip their souls," these artists are continually evolving as they explore their humanity through movement. From creating new works with Ammon to utilizing the talents of various musicians, poets and visual artists, Wonderbound's dancers bring their considerable classical prowess to the table while simultaneously tapping into a vulnerability that strips away pretense.

For more information about Wonderbound, visit wonderbound.com

About Garrett Ammon

Garrett Ammon is an acclaimed choreographer who began his tenure as artistic director of Wonderbound in 2007. Since that time, Wonderbound has garnered national attention and praise for its daring work, including being named one of Dance Magazine's "25 to Watch" (2009). Ammon was also honored as a Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Livingston Fellow (2011); named one of Denver Westword's "Ten People to Watch in 2013" and is the recipient of the 2013 Mayor's Award for Excellence in the Arts.

A prolific dancemaker, serial collaborator and self-professed tech geek; Ammon has created over 50 dance works over the past fourteen years. He has conspired with artists across an array of disciplines and developed a trademark aesthetic that seamlessly blends tradition with adventurous new ideas. His works have included collaborations with Denver notables such as Paper Bird, digital artist Kristopher Collins, Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado, and Chip Walton of Curious Theatre.

His latest works include "Gone West" (2014) with Ian Cooke and Michael J. Henry; "A Gothic Folktale" (2013) with Denver Singer/Songwriter Jesse Manley and Illusionist Professor Phelyx; "Odessa" (2013) with Ofer Ben-Amots and Colorado College; the Klezmer-fusion piece, "Memories and Well Grounded Hopes" (2013) with Hal Aqua and The Lost Tribe; and an international collaborative work with Israel's Liat Dror Nir Ben Gal Dance Company along with the Mizel Arts & Culture Center.

Ammon lives in Denver, Colorado with his wife and muse Dawn Fay. They have worked alongside each other continuously since they first met in 1999.

More information on Ammon can be found on his website at garrettammon.com

About Sarah Tallman

Sarah Tallman holds a BA with honors in Dance Performance and Choreography from the University of Northern Colorado, where she was the two-time recipient of Dancer of the Year. She has participated in the Inside ODC Professional Workshop, Baardar Dance Institute, and has studied with Lizanne McAdams Graham, Arthur Leeth, Cherie Noble, and Jeffrey Rockland. Sarah has danced with David Taylor Dance Theatre, Kim Robards Dance, Lynn Barr and Dancers, Baardar Dance Institute, and Colorado Dance Theatre. Off- season, Sarah has been a Principal Artist with Central City Opera performing in Carmen, Seven Deadly Sins and Oklahoma!. Since joining Wonderbound - Ballet Nouveau Colorado, Sarah has danced leading roles in Garrett Ammon's Smile, When the Power Goes Out, and tomorrow came, andAn Occasional Dream. Sarah has also performed in works by Alex Ketley, Amy Seiwert, Ma Cong and Lauri Stallings. An accomplished choreographer, she has created several works for Wonderbound, BNC's Student Company, and Burklyn Ballet Theatre. Sarah has been a faculty member of the School of BNC for several years.

More information on Sarah can be found at sarahtallman.com

About Colorado Symphony

The region's only full-time professional orchestra, the Colorado Symphony embraces a tradition of musical excellence by presenting a diverse array of symphonic performances throughout the year. Originally established in 1989 as the successor to the Denver Symphony, the Colorado Symphony thrives on a spirit of collaboration among musicians, staff, trustees and the community. The Colorado Symphony performs in Boettcher Concert Hall and On Location throughout the state and region with small ensembles to the full-sized orchestra. Programs include education and outreach initiatives, and concert series for all types of listeners, including Masterworks, Pops, Holiday, Family, Inside the Score and Symphony on the Rocks at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. By presenting music that is both timeless and inspiring, while taking risks with new musical collaborations and interactive concerts, the Colorado Symphony is committed to reaching global audiences with the use of state-of-the-art digital media via live streaming and concert downloads.

More information can be found at coloradosymphony.org

About Smuin Ballet

Debuting in San Francisco in 1994, Smuin Ballet immediately established itself as one of the Bay Area's most eagerly watched performing arts companies, as "one of this country's most entertaining, original ballet troupes" (Dance Magazine), and as a dance company of international acclaim ,performing to sold-out houses on European tours. Michael Smuin's singular philosophy to create pieces which merge the diverse vocabularies of classical ballet and contemporary dance has served as the company's touchstone since its beginning.

Now at the helm of Smuin Ballet is Artistic Director Celia Fushille, whose vision includes maintaining and increasing the company's reputation for presenting accessible and innovative repertoire, attracting new audiences of all ages to the medium. The company has continued to present works created by Smuin, both for his own and for other ballet companies, but Fushille also enriches its impressive repertoire with newer choreographic voices, bringing the Bay Area its first look at works by exciting choreographers from around the world, as well as developing world premieres by company members.